Ag News

Local Strathmore resident, Kaelym Bissett-Luyendyk is a 15-year-old Jr bull rider who has earned himself a spot on the upcoming Jr. World Finals in Vegas this year. Luyendyk started his bull riding journey in March of this year and has already come pretty far. 

Luyendyk will be partaking in a 5-day rodeo in Las Vegas, on December 6. He has no expectations for what is going to happen, he just hopes that he comes home with a win. 

It's the last day of our grain rush winners, day 12. Today we are celebrating BX Farms and as Jason Becks said harvest this year was not as good as they expected it to be. "Mother Nature plays a big role in everything that we do, so it wasn't that great this year." 

The season as a whole for the farm was very underwhelming Becks said, "that's what happens when you don't hold the cards like Mother Nature holds."

Leaders from four farm groups in Saskatchewan are calling on the province to take a closer look at the proposed merger of two key grain operators.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), SaskCanola, Sask Wheat and SaskBarley have written a letter to  Agriculture Minister David Marit urging the Government to conduct a thorough risk assessment concerning the proposed merger of Bunge and Viterra.

Agriculture Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of the agriculture industry and the dedicated individuals involved in producing our food.

Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan's Executive Director Clinton Monchuk says the disconnect between those who consume Canadian food and those who grow it -  is widening. 

Agriculture Minister David Marit's trade and investment mission to Mexico last week was a success.

Marit along with members of Saskatchewan's Trade and Export Partnership travelled down for the Food Tech Summit and Expo in Mexico.

STEP and other members of the delegation hosted a booth at the event which attracts over 20,000 buyers, investors, and experts in the agri-food sector. 

The booth showcased Saskatchewan as the destination of choice for agri-foods innovation and investment.

The NDP will form the next Provincial Government winning a clear majority under incoming Premier Wab Kinew in Tuesday's election.

During the last session and throughout the election campaign Diljeet Brar was the NDP's voice on Agriculture.

There's every expectation he'll move into the role of agriculture Minister,  but the decision around Ministerial roles rests with the new Premier as he forms his cabinet.

Day 11 of our Grain Rush winners is here, and we are celebrating Mullen Farms. The farm has 750 head of cattle, and they farm wheat, barley, canola and peas.

Donna Mullen says that it was a long harvest and not that great of crops this year. Mullen also explained that she is happy that it is finally over. "We didn't do anything new this year, just trying to survive mother nature. Didn't get the rain, this was just a year of survival kind of thing."

The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon will receive $5 million dollars to continue growing the province's value-added and agri-food sector. 

The Federal/Provincial investment will be delivered over the next five years through the Sustainable CAP program.

In making the announcement on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister David Marit noted that Saskatchewan has one of the fastest growing value-added sectors in the country thanks to a combination of our agricultural base, investment potential and research, and innovation assets like the Food Centre.

It is Day 10 of our Grain Rush winners and today we are celebrating Magnum Opus Incorporated, a grain and cattle farm just outside of Strathmore. They are still working through harvest with 200 acers left of irrigated crop to finish off. 

Jared Dougan explains that it has been a good harvest for the most part and it has been much longer than they expected. "We have just been chugging along, on the worst crop first and making our way west down in the Gleichen area and made our way up north to Strathmore here in the last week and a half, two weeks ago." 

A major donation last week will see the development of a mobile unit for rural health and wellness. 

The Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health located at the University of Saskatchewan has received an anonymous donation of $1.5 million.

Director Shelley Kirychuk says the gift is an incredible boost for the centre.